Uproar Over "Toilet Water" Used in Beverages at Hong Kong Starbucks

Where do you think the water is sourced at Starbucks? The sink behind the counter, right? How would you feel if you found out that the water used in your caramel macchiatos and skim lattes came from a nearby bathroom? Hong Kong residents are facing that reality after a local newspaper revealed that a Starbucks was sourcing its water from a tap located just a few feet from the urinal in a drab washroom.

According to the Courier Mail, the Starbucks is located in the Bank of China Tower and has been using water from the lavatory to make its beverages for nearly two years. Starbucks representative Wendy Pang responded to the backlash, explaining that there was no "direct water supply" for that particular store so they needed to find the closest source, which, in this case, happened to be in the car park's bathroom. Still, Hong Kong residents were outraged and took to social media to express their anger.

One Facebooker commented, "I'll stick to my McCafe and the water is not from a toilet!" Another user, Kevin L., posted on the Starbucks Hong Kong wall, "Totally disappointed! The initial decision by Starbucks to use water from toilet is a clear sign of your company's vision and the level of (dis)respect your company has for the health and mind of your customers."

Pang said the water goes through a filtration system before it is used in beverages and consumed, a process that is in accordance with the World Health Organization's standards. However, after the uproar, Starbucks decided to use distilled water for its beverages at the Bank of China location.

Posted by Kiri Tannenbaum

Kiri Tannenbaum is a contributing editor at Delish. Her love of food was sparked by an extended stay in Florence, Italy, where she assisted in the kitchen, shaving bittersweet chocolate over creamy, homemade tiramisu. Though she has no Italian blood in her lineage, Kiri always makes her sauce from scratch and hopes one day to adopt an Italian grandmother. Read More

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